Perennial grass and herb options to extend summer–autumn forage in a drought‐prone temperate environment

The ability to finish livestock on pasture over the summer–autumn period could improve the profitability of red meat enterprises in drought‐prone temperate regions. In south‐eastern Australia, traditional perennial options are limited by poor warm‐season performance (phalaris, Phalaris aquaticaL.) and widespread environmental constraints (lucerne, Medicago sativaL.). We aimed to identify perennial species suitable for summer–autumn finishing. We tested pure swards of summer‐active perennial grasses and herbs (20 cultivars across 14 species) in replicated small‐plot experiments at two sites on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. We assessed early persistence, productivity and warm‐season nutritive characteristics over 2–3 years. Lucerne and chicory (Cichorium intybusL.) persisted well through drought and produced herbage of high quantity and quality through summer–autumn. Digit grass (Digitaria erianthaSteud.) was highly persistent and productive but nutritive values were generally poor. Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerataL.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.), prairie grass (Bromus willdenowiiKunth.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolataL.) were productive but less persistent through drought, while nutritive values were sometimes inadequate. Chicory is a good alternative to lucerne, given its excellent summer–autumn performance, ability to survive droughts and superior acid soil tolerance. If appropriate management resolves issues with persistence and nutritive value, several of the other species could also be used to close the warm‐season feed gap in drought‐prone temperate environments. Pasture quality and quantity limit summer–autumn livestock production in drought‐prone temperate environments. We evaluated summer‐active perennial grasses and herbs over the warm season in south‐eastern Australia. Lucerne and chicory consistently showed high persistence, productivity and nutritive value. Digit grass, cocksfoot, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, prairie grass and plantain also showed potential.